Obama neglects own backyard

Category: Opinion Published on Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:03 Written by Raynard Jackson Hits: 555

RAYNARD JACKSON

(NNPA)—Just imagine someone in your family travelling half way across the country to help a family they don’t know nor have any connection to; while at the same time his own family is in crisis. Just imagine how you would feel if your family barely had food to eat, but yet your father goes across town and gives some of your food to a family that he doesn’t even know.
I am sure in both cases the family would feel betrayed and a bit confused; and outsiders would surely think the father has lost his mind. Is it a noble gesture to try to help your fellow man? Of course it is. But, while it might be tragic for another family to be suffering, a father’s first obligation is to his own family, then his own community, and then the world.
President Obama, in many ways, serves as our nation’s symbolic “father.” In times of crisis, we look to him for comfort, support, and direction. Remember Reagan after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, Bush 41 after the Rodney King riots or Bush 43 after 911?
Having worked around three presidents, I am fully aware that a president can’t be everywhere, all the time and he has to pick and choose how he leads a country in a time of crisis. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the moment that could be his finest hour.
I found the anemic response by this White House and this president to the senseless death of Hadiya Pendleton very tragic.